New brass section in preparation for debut performance
Roscommon County Youth Orchestra’s new brass section in Ballaghaderreen is preparing for a debut performance on May 28 in Roscommon Arts Centre. Running since November 2010, 17 young people aged 10 to 16 from the greater Ballaghaderreen area are now learning to play trumpet and trombone.
The brass section is one of three centres run by Roscommon County Youth Orchestra. There is a woodwind section in Boyle and a string section in Roscommon town, with the aim of providing young people across the county with the opportunity to learn to play a classical instrument in their local area. Every month, the sections come together to rehearse as a full orchestra and at the end of May, the new brass section will be joining the other two groups for the first time.
Roscommon County Youth Orchestra is a project of Roscommon County Council and Roscommon VEC with the support of RIDC and the Arts Council. The brass section is also kindly supported by The Phoenix Centre, Ballaghaderreen.
The orchestra project is open to all young people in the county aged 10-18. Instruments are provided on loan free of charge and fees are heavily subsidised by the project partners. Beginners are very welcome. For further information, please phone Avril Carr on (087 ) 9289909 or email [email protected].
Congratulations to camogie girls
Well done to the four camogie players who represented Convent of Mercy, Roscommon in the Camán & Run solo relay race in Croke Park on Sunday March 6. The team were Deirdre Regan, Ciara Owens, Maeve Brennan, and Shauna Mulry, and a word of sympathy must also go to Shauna Keenan who was unable to take part due to injury but travelled to support.
Five schools countrywide were chosen and the girls finished a close second place. The girls would like to thank Ms Connolly for all her support and for accompanying them on the day.
Special Olympics ‘School’s got Talent’
On Sunday March 6 the fifth year music class from Convent of Mercy, Roscommon participated in the Connacht semi-final of the Special Olympics ‘School’s got Talent’ competition. The class group entitled The Sistahs performed a three-part arrangement of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’. The judges were very impressed with the standard of singing and awarded The Sistahs the highest mark of all the acts. However the audience vote did not go in their favour and they narrowly missed out on a place in the final by one point.
Fifth year student Bianca Araujo also competed but despite an excellent performance did not secure a place in the final.
The school’s hopes now rest on transition year student Michelle Regan, who will take part in the final of the competition in Castlebar on March 16. She was put straight through to the final after coming second in the county final held in Hyde Centre last December. Good luck Michelle! The students would like to take this opportunity to thank their music teacher Ms Cox for all her assistance.
Carmel Sheerin & the Ravens for Roscommon gig
Carmel Sheerin & The Ravens are the product of a family that has been at the forefront of the music scene in the heart of Ireland for the past few decades. Four of the multi-talented family are represented in Carmel Sheerin & The Ravens: Carmel on lead vocals, Danny on acoustic and vocals, Des on double bass and vocals, and Tom on mandolin and vocals. The four have joined up with Jonathan Toman, an extremely talented banjo player, and are soaring to new heights both on the national and international scene with their breathtaking, contemporary sound.
Featuring Carmel on lead vocals and the band singing clean harmonies rooted in bluegrass, country, and gospel music, the members write their own material and collaborate with top American and Irish bluegrass songwriters.
Carmel Sheerin & The Ravens play in JJ Harlows, The Square, Roscommon on Thursday March 24.
‘The Truth Spoken as Word’ - exhibition by James Merrigan
‘The Truth Spoken as Word’ - an exhibiton from mixed-media and video installation artist James Merrigan - runs until April 15 at The Gallery, Roscommon Arts Centre. The Gallery is open to public viewing during centre opening hours. For further information tel (090 ) 6625824.
